1. Construction Studies

2. Introduction Content of Day
Overview of Construction Studies
Development of Construction Studies to date
Cohort of students taking subject
Performance of students
Structure of course
Components of Construction Studies Syllabus
Theory
Syllabus
Sources of information
Strategies for teaching
Teaching methodologies

3. Introduction Practical Skills Test Syllabus summary
Skills and techniques required
Planning a course
Chief Examiner’s Report
Systematic approach
Marking Scheme
Practical Coursework
General organisation
SEC documentation
Project Selection
Types of projects
Exemplar project work
Marking Scheme
Experiments

4. Structure of Day
Introduction and Overview of Construction Studies
Tea/Coffee
Theory
Lunch
Practical Skills Test
Practical Coursework
Evaluation
So why

5. Overview Construction Studies
The current syllabus is in placed since 1984 and first examined in 1986.
Architectural Technology was developed to replace Construction Studies but plans for its implementation have been shelved indefinitely.
Approximately 8,500 candidates take construction studies each year. This is 23% of the Leaving Certificate cohort .
On average 6-7% of these candidates are Female.

6. Overview The syllabus is examined at two levels- higher and ordinary.
The current examination, higher and ordinary level comprises of three components
Written examination
Practical coursework
Practical skills test
Two components are examined at a common level only.
The weighting of each component is different at both levels.

7. Performance of Students
Approximately 79% of Construction Studies students take higher level each year with 21% opting for ordinary level.
Performance of Students – Higher Level

8. Performance of Students

9. Performance of Students

10. Time Allocation
Task:
Considering the above information and your own experience what proportion of the time available should be allocated to each component
Theory
Practical Coursework
Practical Skills Test

11. Teaching Construction Studies
As an effective teacher of Construction Studies you are expected to
Familiarise yourself with the syllabus
Plan and develop a scheme of work that is appropriate to the syllabus and is
cognisicent of arrangements within your school.
Implement the scheme
Plan and structure each lesson
Assess students progress and give feedback
Reflect on your performance in the classroom
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

12. Teaching Construction Studies
Compare the achievements of your students with the national standard in construction studies.
Make appropriate changes
– and not only when necessary !!
Review all publications relating to construction studies such as,
Looking at MTW and CS produced by the inspectorate within the DES
and the Chief Examiner’s Report for construction studies, available on the SEC website-

13. Teaching Construction Studies
Read and implement all instructions relating to Construction Studies
issued by the State Examinations Commission
Develop your own knowledge and skills, both technical and educational. This can be achieved by attending PDST or NCTE professional development or attending courses related to the broader subject area, becoming an examiner with the SEC, a member of the TTA, or simply liaising with colleagues.

14. Structure of Construction Studies Course
The challenge for teachers is to design a structure for Construction Studies that accommodates their often unique arrangements.
There are certain conditions which are defined
Three Components
Two year programme
165 school days/ 33 weeks in each year
Five Periods per week- two double periods and a single are recommended
Practical coursework completed by end of April
Practical Skills Test in early May
Theory exam in June

15. Structure of Construction Studies Course
How much time is allocated to each component of the syllabus?
Task:
Assuming that all timetabled classes are in a Construction Studies room, design a structure for a Construction Studies course considering the time allocation for each component determined previously.